Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Animation and Visual Effects)

Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Animation and Visual Effects)

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Animators play integral, behind-the-scenes roles in action-packed blockbusters such as Transformers, high-octane video games like Halo, and popular TV series such as The Simpsons. Do you have what it takes to be part of this exciting industry?

With a proud history as the first bachelor degree in Australia dedicated to the art of animation and visual effects, the Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Animation and Visual Effects) is ideal for those who are passionate about creating memorable visuals and fulfilling their desire to bring their imagination to life.

CSU’s course provides a unique collaborative framework for you to explore your creative visual talents through diverse media and evolving industries, with particular emphasis on the digital realm. You will gain a well-rounded arts education while being encouraged to specialise to increase your employment prospects in increasingly competitive fields.

You will have access to cross-discipline opportunities, current industry standard software, knowledgeable lecturers, the latest learning tools, exhibitions and festivals. Working in a welcoming team environment founded on creative arts practice, you will be motivated to achieve your very best.

Why study this course?

Reasons to study Animation and Visual Effects with CSU:

leading institution- CSU was the first university in Australia to introduce a bachelor degree dedicated to the art of animation and visual effects and remains at the forefront of this ever-expanding industry with a cutting-edge curriculum, influential alumni and powerful industry partnerships

professional staff - the course is delivered by internationally accredited and experienced staff of the highest teaching calibre

latest industry standards - the very latest software, hardware and training are integral to the degree and achieved through strong links with the industry leading partners

production environment - the degree emphasises the importance of meeting industry expectations and is designed to foster on-site collaboration in a professional studio environment. The course incorporates dailies, project development charts, professional training, online support, expert supervision, special screenings and a unique in-house production pipeline – giving students a realistic and advantageous edge over competitors

high-profile alumni - CSU graduates have gone on to secure prestigious roles and rapidly earned industry respect. This follows a long tradition of highly successful graduates who have, among many achievements, won Oscars and elevated themselves to the highest positions in their field

Australian International Animation Festival - AIAF is an internationally renowned event featuring more than 100 prestigious films selected from more than 3,500 submissions from around the world each year. This exclusive event is tightly integrated into the degree and grants privileged access to the largest animation archive known in Australia

expansive class content - all VFX subjects are carefully crafted, updated and revised every year to remain educational, entertaining and essential. Lectures feature an expertly compiled archive of more than 3,000 documentary clips sourced from the original case studies

cutting-edge game technology - game engines have been firmly embedded in our curriculum for more than 15 years and are taught in a way that allows non-coders to enjoy fully realised interactive productions

immersive environments - fusing the best of stereoscopic and interactive 3D technology, we are early adopters of the virtual / augmented reality, allowing students to become pioneers in careers that don’t even yet exist

3D printing revolution - AVFX teaches the core software driving the 3D printing revolution and allows students to make their creations with state-of-the-art equipment

Green Screen Studio - CSU features a full television production studio for large-scale blue-screen work and a highly accessible green-screen/photography studio for the majority of productions

performance capture - we have a dedicated motion capture studio which embeds interactive performance into the curriculum to maintain currency with the latest advances in optical / mechanical tracking

stereoscopy - we are at the forefront of stereoscopic filmmaking and real-time 3D authoring of broadcast-quality content

future filmmaking - the AVFX Studio established real-time 4K authoring and editing for UltraHD broadcast as early as 2010. We are fully prepared for new media landscapes and teach you how to distribute your work across all major digital platforms

sound specialisation - AVFX understands the important of sound and CSU boasts one of the most advanced studios in regional Australia

free equipment hire - you will have unparalleled access to professional-grade equipment upon qualifying in the appropriate subjects. Hiring this level of specialist equipment would be cost-prohibitive for a majority of students outside of the CSU.

What will I learn?

Our Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Animation and Visual Effects) is about visualisation and making your imagination a reality. The course helps you develop this concept and deliver it to the screen, web, 2D / 3D print, theatre, canvas or any format that does justice to your idea. It could be a story, abstract experimentation, 3D graphics / animation, motion design, digital compositing, visual effects, computer games, multimedia authoring and design, professional art practice, film / television production, scientific visualisation, advertising and/or interactive media. The choice is yours.

Our graduates have a well-developed aesthetic sense, strong visual problem-solving skills and the communication and technical skills needed to produce innovative and exciting work for a range of applications.

Subjects offered in the Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Animation and Visual Effects) provide a blend of theory and practice. You will complete a suite of core subjects providing foundational and contextual knowledge and skills. As well as studio-based skills, you will develop skills in communication, problem solving and ethical understanding.

One-third of the degree is made up of subjects in your Animation and Visual Effects specialisation. A minor or elective sequence adds breadth, enabling you to select subjects from another discipline area. The program finishes with a professional capstone subject to prepare you for the workplace.

Experience our campus

If you would like to see more of the great facilities and meet some of the academic staff in Communication and Creative Industries at CSU, you can book a course consultation. To organise your consultation, visit our booking page.

You can also book a general tour of the campus where you would be studying.

Minor/elective sequence (32 points) Students may opt to study a minor of four subjects selected from the list below; or a minor of four subjects, or four unrestricted elective subjects offered within the School of Communication and Creative Industries; or a minor of four subjects, or four unrestricted electives offered by another school within the University, with the Course Director’s approval.

Art history minor An art history minor consists of 4 subjects from the list below, at least one of which must be a level one subject. A level three subject is recommended. ART113 European art 1850-1920 ART114 Modern art 1920-1970 ART210 Australian art to 1939 ART215 Australian art from 1939 ART310 Issues in contemporary art ART315 Perspectives in photography ART316 Renaissance art ART317 Art and books

CRICOS Code(s)

Thinking of deferring?

About the School

School of Communication and Creative Industries

CSU’s School of Communication and Creative Industries have built a hub for innovative storytellers who want to make a difference. Based on Bathurst, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga campuses, the School has an emphasis on cross-disciplinary collaboration created through a unique balance of practical production and theoretical foundation. CSU’s courses are delivered in authentic industry settings including our state-of-the-art television studio, radio station, newsroom, performance theatres, exhibition spaces and animation and visual effects facilities. Our students gain a competitive advantage in industry through practical learning, internships and other invaluable networking opportunities.

Preparing for Study

This School recommends any of the following short, self-paced, online STUDY LINK subjects to students who wish to reinforce knowledge and skills prior to starting at CSU:

SSS021 - Transition to University Study

SSS033 - Transition from TAFE / VET to University (F2F Workshop)

This School recommends any of the following short, self-paced, online STUDY LINK subjects to students who wish to reinforce knowledge and skills in the area of writing and grammar prior to starting at CSU:

SSS024 Grammar Essentials for Writing at University

SSS030 Academic English for Australian Tertiary Studies (Intended primarily for International and English as Second Language Learners)

SSS031 Academic Writing Skills (FACE TO FACE WORKSHOP ONLY)

SSS034 Essay Writing – Style and Structure

SSS035 Critical Thinking

These subjects are particularly useful for those people who feel that they may have knowledge gaps and need a refresher because they have not studied for some time. STUDY LINK subjects are free for CSU Commonwealth-supported students as soon as they accept their offer of a place; small fees apply for others. They are non-credit bearing subjects. A Subject Coordinator assists students with any questions. The full subject list and enrolment forms are on the STUDY LINK website.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Throughout their studies, CSU students have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English Language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to their discipline. This ongoing development will enable students to effectively participate in their course and graduate as competent professionals.

EARLY ENTRY

PREPARING FOR STUDY?

A STUDY LINK subject may help you prepare for University. You can study short, self-paced, online subjects to increase your skills and develop a clear understanding of the expectations of studying at University.